Gas flow distributor for a lateral airbag module

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a gas flow distributor for a lateral airbag module. The distributor is used to distribute a gas flow leaving a gas generator by the outflow openings thereof, in a targeted manner, in a gas bag which is to be inflated by the gas generator. According to an embodiment, the gas flow distributor is formed by a dimensionally stable receiving element surrounding outflow openings of the gas generator.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a gas flow distributor for a lateral airbagmodule.

A lateral airbag module serves in the event of a crash to protect avehicle occupant from colliding with lateral parts of the vehicle body,and is generally arranged in a vehicle door or laterally on a vehicleseat. In addition to a gas bag which can be inflated in the event of acrash to protect the particular vehicle occupant, the lateral airbagmodule comprises a gas generator for inflating the gas bag and a housingfor holding the gas generator and gas bag. In order for an airbag moduleto be able to deploy the best possible restraining and thereforeprotective function for a vehicle occupant, a targeted, defineddeployment of the gas bag during the inflation by means of the gasgenerator is of particular importance.

In lateral airbag modules, it is known to direct the gas flow within thegas bag by tucks or fabric flaps provided in or on the gas bag coveringand to distribute it in a defined manner within the gas bag. In thiscase, the gas bag is divided by the tucks or fabric flaps into differentregions which are intended to ensure a defined, predeterminable gas flowduring the inflation of the gas bag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on the problem of providing a gas flowdistributor of the type mentioned at the beginning, which contributes toa targeted, defined deployment and positioning of the gas bag to beinflated by the gas generator.

This problem is solved according to the invention by the provision of agas flow distributor according the embodiments described herein.

According to them, the gas flow distributor is formed by a dimensionallystable holder surrounding the gas generator at least in the region ofits outflow openings.

The solution according to the invention has the advantage that the gasflow distributor has an immediate, direct influence on the gas flowemerging from the gas generator, in order to achieve a defineddeployment and positioning of the gas bag to be inflated. Thus, bysuitable designing of that region of the gas flow distributor whichholds the gas generator, the direction of deployment of the gas bag canbe defined at an early point and durably in a predetermined manner. Inthis connection, the opening of the covering of the airbag module canalso be positively influenced. Furthermore, by directing the gas flow,the inflation behavior of the gas bag in an oop situation(out-of-position situation), in which the occupant who is to beprotected is outside his normal sitting position, can be influenced insuch a manner that the risk of an occupant being injured is minimized.

Finally, a targeted distribution of the quantity of gas or of the gasflow enables the gas flowing out of the gas generator to be guided in adefined manner into the one or other chamber of a multi-chamber gas bag.

The above-described effects are achieved, in particular, by the factthat the gas emerging from the outflow openings of the gas generator isinitially collected, immediately after it has emerged, in the holderformed by the gas flow distributor and then is guided on in a definedmanner, along a predeterminable direction, into the interior of the gasbag to be inflated.

The gas flow distributor consists of such a dimensionally stablematerial, for example metal or a diecasting, that the holder formed bythe gas flow distributor is not noticeably deformed by the gas flowemerging from the gas generator. Accordingly, in contrast with a gasflow distributor which is formed by tucks, fabric flaps, flexible tubingor the like provided in the gas bag covering, according to the presentinvention defined conditions, which cannot be adversely affected by thegas flow, are provided for the distribution of the gas flow. However,individual sections, for example in the form of a flap, may be providedon the holder of the gas flow distributor and can be moved in a targetedmanner by the gas flow in order to release an outlet opening for the gasflow.

The holder of the gas flow distributor is designed in particular for theinsertion of a tubular gas generator which, as part of a lateral airbagmodule, is to be arranged in a vehicle door or on a vehicle seat. Forthis purpose, the gas flow distributor has a holding region whichsurrounds the tubular gas generator and is of tubular design, forexample is of polygonal or curved design in cross section. In onepreferred embodiment, the holder of the gas flow distributor is designedto let a gas flow into a gas bag to be inflated, essentially along thecircumferential surface of the holder, for example in the axialdirection. In such a case, the gas flow which usually emerges verticallyfrom a gas generator does not therefore pass simply along this directioninto the gas bag, but rather is deflected beforehand, namely in adirection along the circumferential surface of the gas flow distributorwhich surrounds the gas generator at least in the region of its outflowopenings.

In order to let the gas flow in a defined manner into the gas bag to beinflated, the holder forming the gas flow distributor has at least oneoutlet opening through which gas which has flowed into the interior ofthe holder can emerge from the gas generator and can flow into the gasbag to be inflated. In the case of a gas flow distributor having atubular holding region, outlet openings of this type can be provided, inparticular, in the casing of the holding region.

In one development of the invention, the size of the outlet openings canbe set in order to match them to different circumstances.

Furthermore, the at least one outlet opening of the gas flow distributorcan be at least partially closed by a covering which is opened by thegas flow emerging from the gas generator, and, as a result, the gas canflow into the gas bag to be inflated. In this case, the outlet openingsare preferably arranged and designed to conduct the gas flow emergingfrom a tubular gas generator in the axial direction, i.e. along thedirection of extent of the gas generator. In the opened state, thecovering can serve at the same time as a directing element with whichgas flowing through the outlet opening of the gas flow distributor ispredetermined a direction of flow when flowing into the gas bag to beinflated.

The gas flow distributor is preferably designed in such a manner, i.e.is matched in such a manner to the outer shape, size and outflowopenings of the gas generator, that the gas flowing out of the gasgenerator is at least in part initially reflected against a wall of theholding region before it emerges from the gas flow distributor. Thisprevents the hot gases flowing out of the gas generator from comingdirectly into contact with the fabric or the seams of the gas bag to beinflated or with other heat-sensitive parts. Instead, first of all thegas within the holding region of the gas flow distributor is cooledbefore the gas flows on into the gas bag to be inflated. In addition,the velocity of the gas flow is also retarded. This enables lessexacting requirements to be made of the coating of the gas bag covering.Furthermore, the influencing of the gas flow by the walls of the holdingregion of the gas flow distributor can also serve for directing the gasflow per se, in particular in order to permit the gas flow to bedeflected in the axial direction, along the direction of extent of atubular gas generator, when it passes through the outlet openings of thegas flow distributor.

The gas pressure within the holding region can be influenced by varyingthe volume available for the gas within the holding region of thegenerator support, i.e. as a function of the distance of the outer wallof the gas generator from the inner wall of the holding region of thegas flow distributor. This in turn has an effect on the distribution ofthe quantity of gas via the corresponding outlet openings of the holdingregion. The size of the outlet openings of the holding region (outletarea of the openings) determines, inter alia, the inflation velocity ofthe airbag and the distribution of the quantity of gas within variousairbag regions, which is of importance in particular in the case ofmulti-chamber systems in which different internal pressures are to beproduced in different chambers.

In addition, the velocity of the program of deployment of the airbag canalso be influenced by the shape of the holding region(hollow-cylindrical or different tube shape).

In one development of the invention, the gas flow distributor can serveat the same time as the generator support which holds the gas generatorand is connected via a connecting region to a supporting part of a motorvehicle, in particular a supporting part of a vehicle door or of avehicle seat.

The connecting region of the generator support, which is arranged anddesigned to provide an indirect or direct connection to a supportingpart of a motor vehicle, can be configured, for example as a flangewhich protrudes from the holding region of the generator support. In onepreferred embodiment, the generator support is of single-piece design,i.e. the connecting region of the generator support is integrally formedas a single piece on the holding region thereof.

It is advantageous to design at least one region of the holder as animpact element, so that at least one gas-guiding duct for guiding thegas flow runs between the impact element and the gas generator. This hasthe advantage that the gas flow distributor immediately and directlyinfluences the gas flow emerging from the gas generator and, by means ofthe design of the gas-guiding duct, the gas flowing out can be guided ina defined manner into a certain region of the gas bag to be inflated.The guiding of the gas flow enables the inflation behavior of the gasbag to be influenced in such a manner, even in an oop situation, inwhich the occupant to be protected is outside his normal sittingposition, that the risk of an injury to the motor vehicle occupant bythe deploying gas bag is reduced. Furthermore, the targeted distributionof the quantity of gas or of the gas flow of the gas flowing out of thegas generator enables the gas to be guided in a defined manner into oneor more chambers of a multi-chamber gas bag or into a plurality of gasbags. In this case, the gas flow distributor according to the inventioncan also serve for attaching a plurality of gas bags to a gas generator.

The gas-guiding duct can be formed here either between the outside ofthe gas generator and the inside of the holder, which is designed as animpact element, or else between the outside of a region of the holderthat surrounds the gas generator and the inside of the impact element.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the impact element has anessentially circular cross section and is fitted in such a manner thatthe gas-guiding duct essentially has a circular ring-shaped or acrescent-shaped cross section. Appropriate dimensioning of thegas-guiding duct thus enables, owing to a small flow cross section, veryhigh gas outflow velocities and therefore a very high impulsetransmission to be transmitted to the gas bag covering to be deployed.

The impact element is advantageously designed in such a manner that,even during plastic deformation, as may occur, for example, during theinstallation process or during operation of the gas generator, thefunction of the impact element is maintained. Thus, for example, evenlocal or temporal high-pressure maxima of the gas flow can becompensated for without the functioning of the gas flow distributorbeing adversely affected.

The gas outlet regions of the gas-guiding ducts advantageously lead intoat least one gas bag or into different gas bag chambers. When aplurality of gas bag chambers or a plurality of gas bags are used, theimpact element may serve to separate two gas bag chambers from eachother or may serve as a single connection between two gas bags. In thiscase, a separating gap running between two gas bags may run in theregion of the impact element, so that communication between the gas bagsis possible only via the gas-guiding duct. Furthermore, it isadvantageous to brace the separating gap in a gastight manner via theimpact element.

A lateral airbag module having a gas generator for inflating a gas bagand a gas flow distributor designed in accordance with the invention ischaracterized by the features of claim 39.

In one preferred embodiment of this airbag module, the holding region ofthe gas flow distributor is arranged within the gas bag to be inflated.This permits a particularly compact construction of the airbag module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the invention will become clear inthe following description of an exemplary embodiment with reference tothe figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of a gas flow distributor forholding a gas generator;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective rear view of the gas flow distributor fromFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a first modification of the exemplary embodiment from FIGS.1 and 2;

FIG. 4 shows a second modification of the exemplary embodiment fromFIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 shows a rear view of the gas flow distributor from FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective illustration of a further embodiment of a gasflow distributor according to the invention;

FIG. 7 shows an exploded drawing of the gas flow distributor from FIG.6;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective illustration of a further embodiment of a gasflow distributor according to the invention;

FIG. 9 shows a plan view of the gas flow distributor from FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows a lateral view of the gas flow distributor from FIGS. 8and 9;

FIG. 11 shows a cross section through the gas flow distributor fromFIGS. 8, 9 and 10;

FIG. 12 shows a perspective illustration of a further embodiment of agas flow distributor according to the invention;

FIG. 13 shows a lateral view of the gas flow distributor from FIG. 12with the gas generator inserted; and

FIG. 14 shows a cross section through the gas flow distributor fromFIGS. 12 and 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a gas flow distributor in theform of a generator support 1 for holding a gas generator. The generatorsupport 1 forms part of a lateral airbag module and can support a gasgenerator with which a gas bag can be inflated in a sensor-controlledmanner to protect a vehicle occupant in the event of a crash. The gasbag and the gas generator are usually arranged in a module housing whichhas a covering which opens during the inflation of the gas bag, so thatthe gas bag can be deployed in the direction of the vehicle occupant tobe protected.

The gas generator is connected via the generator support 1 either to asupporting part of the airbag module, for example the housing of theairbag module, or directly to a supporting part of the vehicle body, forexample a door panel or a seat frame in the case of a lateral airbag. Bythis means, the gas generator is coupled via the generator support to asupporting vehicle part.

According to FIG. 1, the holding region 10 of the generator support 1 isof tubular, in particular hollow-cylindrical, configuration, so that atubular gas generator arranged within the holding region 10 issurrounded by the holding region 10. The holding region 10 forms incross section a slotted ring with a plate 21 and 22 protruding radiallyin each case from its ends placed on both sides of the slot.

The hollow-cylindrical holding region 10 has two open cover surfaces 11,12 on its end sides, the cover surfaces permitting the introduction of agas generator into the holding region 10 by said slot expanding, and twolarge recesses 16, 17 in its casing surface, the recesses serving toreduce the weight of the generator support 1. Next to the one largerecess 16, an outlet opening 18 is additionally provided in the casingsurface, said outlet opening being partially covered by an elevation 13of the casing surface, which forms the outer wall 10 a of the holdingregion, and said outlet opening being situated above the outflowopenings of the gas generator leading into the generator support 1, whenthe gas generator is introduced. The elevation 13 serves as guidingelement with which the direction of the gas flow emerging from theoutlet opening 18 can be influenced.

Gases which have flowed from a gas generator into the interior of theholding region 10 can pass on through the last-mentioned outlet opening18 into the gas bag to be inflated. For this purpose, the holding region10 of the generator support 1 is preferably arranged together with thegas generator arranged in it within the gas bag, which is to beinflated, of the airbag module.

The arrangement, shape and size of the outlet opening 18 of the holdingregion 10, through which gas flowing from a gas generator can pass intothe gas bag to be inflated, and the elevation 13 determine the directionand velocity at which the gas enters into the gas bag.

In the present case, the gas flow G flowing through the outlet opening18 is directed by means of the elevation 13 along the casing surface ofthe receiving region 10, in particular in the axial direction.

As becomes clear with reference to the rear view according to FIG. 2,two further outlet openings 19a, 19b are provided lying radiallyopposite each other on both sides of an elevation 13 in the casing ofthe holding region 10 and the above outlet opening 18, with it beingpossible for a gas flow G to emerge through them along the surface ofthe outer wall 10 a of the holding region 10, specifically, inparticular, in the axial direction of the longitudinally extendedgenerator support 1.

The gas generator to be held in the holding region 10 of the generatorsupport 1 can be arranged there in particular in such a manner that gasflowing out of the outflow openings of this gas generator is directedtoward the inner wall 10 b of the holding region 10. In this case, theoutflow openings of the gas generator are preferably situated in theregion of that section of the holding region 10 of the gas generatorsupport 1 which is provided with the outlet openings 18, 19 a, 19 b. Thegas flowing from the gas generator into the interior of the generatorsupport 1 is initially reflected against the inner wall 10 b of theholding region 10 before it passes through the openings 18, 19 a, 19 b,provided for this purpose, in the holding region 10 into the gas bag tobe inflated. As a result, the gas flow is somewhat cooled and sloweddown before it impacts against any heat-sensitive parts of the gas bag,for example the gas bag covering or seams. The risk of damage to the gasbag by hot gases can thereby be considerably reduced.

A connecting region 20 having fastening openings 23 is integrally formedas a single piece on the holding region 10 of the generator support 1and can be used to connect the generator support to a supporting part ofthe airbag module or a motor vehicle body. The connecting region 20 isdesigned as a flange and comprises two plates 21, 22 which bear againsteach other and are integrally formed as a single piece on the holdingregion 10. For this purpose, the holding region 10 forms in crosssection a slotted ring with one of the plates 21, 22 integrally formedon each of its two ends. In order to stabilize the connecting region 20,stiffening elements 25 via which the connecting region 20 isadditionally connected to the holding region 10 are additionallyprovided.

The exemplary embodiment of a generator support that is illustrated inFIG. 3 differs from the one illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 merely inrespect of the design of two outlet openings which are provided in thewall of the holding region 10. Otherwise, the two exemplary embodimentscorrespond, and so reference is made in this regard to the details forFIG. 1. Components of the generator support which correspond areprovided with identical reference numbers in the two figures.

According to FIG. 3, two outlet opening 14 a, 14 b placed next to thetwo large recesses 16, 17 are formed by the two open end sides of a duct14 which is integrally formed as an elevation on the outer wall 10 a ofthe holding region 10. The gases G emerging through the open end sides14 a, 14 b flow first of all parallel to the outer wall 10 a of theholding region 10, predominantly in the axial direction of the generatorsupport 1, and then pass into the gas bag to be inflated.

The generator support 1 is installed in a vehicle in such a manner thatits longitudinal axis extends essentially along the vertical vehicleaxis. The gas flow emerging from the gas flow distributor in the form ofa generator support is therefore directed upward or downward essentiallyin the vertical direction through the respective outlet openings 14 a,14 b, 18, 19 a, 19 b.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a further modification of the exemplaryembodiment from FIGS. 1 and 2, the difference residing exclusively inthe design of the outlet openings through which gas which has flowedinto the gas flow distributor (generator support 1) from a gas generatorcan flow on into a gas bag to be inflated.

According to FIGS. 4 and 5, an outlet opening 15 is arranged next to thelarge recesses 16, 17 in the holding region 10 of the generator support1, said outlet opening being partially closed by a covering in the formof tabs 150. In this case, the recess 15 extends with slot-shapedrunners along the lateral edges of the tabs 150, so that the latter areconnected only in an end section to the casing surface of the tubularholding region 10.

In this case, the gas which emerges from the gas generator after theairbag module is triggered and flows, in particular, toward the innerwall 10 a of the holding region 10 raises the tabs 150 which partiallycover the outlet opening 15, as indicated in FIG. 5 with reference tothe double arrow, so that the tabs 150 protrude obliquely from thecasing surface of the tubular holding region 10. This firstly enablesthe cross-sectional area of the outlet opening 15 through which the gaswhich has emerged from the gas generator can flow into the gas bag to beinflated to be enlarged. At the same time, after bending over outward,the tabs 150 form guiding elements which contribute to guiding the gasflow G, when it flows through the outlet opening 15, along the casingsurface of the tubular holding region 10 of the generator support 1. Inparticular, the tabs 150 in this state counteract a radial andtangential outflow of the gases, so that the gas flow G has, above all,a component in the axial direction of the tubular holding region 10.

The direction of flow of the gas passing through the outlet opening 15can be influenced by varying the geometry of the outlet opening 15 andof the tabs 150 and by the specification associated therewith of thedirection along which the tabs 150 are bent over outward by the pressureof the gas flow.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a further embodiment of a gas flow distributoraccording to the invention. The gas flow distributor has a holder in theform of an impact element 3 which surrounds a tubular gas generator 6 inthe region of the gas outflow openings 60 of the tubular gas generator6. In this case, the impact element 3 is in the form of ahose-clip-shaped holder which surrounds the tubular gas generator 6largely without any contact. As a result, a gas-guiding duct 100 forguiding the gas flow emerging from the gas outflow openings 60 of thetubular gas generator 6 is formed between the hose-clip-shaped impactelement 3 and the tubular gas generator 6.

The tubular gas generator 6 is held in a fastening device 7, which islikewise hose-clip-shaped, and can be fastened via said fastening deviceto a motor vehicle structure (not illustrated here). For fasteningpurposes, the tubular gas generator 6 is held here in a cylindricalrecess 73 in the hose-clip-shaped fastening element 7. In the region ofthe gas outlet openings 60 of the tubular gas generator 6, the fasteningelement 7 has a cutout region 72, so that the gas flowing from the gasoutflow openings 60 is not obstructed by the hose-clip-shaped fasteningelement 7 from flowing out.

In addition, the fastening element 7 has a fastening region 70 whichserves to attach the tubular gas generator 6 together with the impactelement 3 to a motor vehicle structure via joining elements in the formof rivets and/or screws 401 which are guided in holes 701, 40. At thefastening region 70, an airbag can be placed between the fasteningregion 70 and a clamping rail 4 in such a manner that the gas-guidingdevice is surrounded by the airbag fabric. Tightening of the joiningelements 401 causes the airbag to be tightened around the impact elementand sealed or connected fixedly to the gas-guiding device and/or to ameans of attaching it to the vehicle structure.

The impact element 3 likewise has a fastening section 30 into whichrivet-shaped fastening means 401 can be guided, likewise through holes301, and result in the hose-clip-shaped impact element 3 being fastenedto the hose-clip-shaped fastening element 7.

A crescent-shaped gas-guiding duct 100 is formed between the gasgenerator 1 and the hose-clip-shaped impact element 3. In this case, thegas flowing from the gas outflow opening 60 of the tubular gas generator6 impacts initially against the hose-clip-shaped impact element 3 and isthen guided in the gas-guiding duct 100 in the direction of two oppositegas outflow regions 101, 102. In the embodiment illustrated here, thegas flows emerging from the two gas outlet regions 101, 102 emerge indirections essentially opposed to each other and along the tube axis Rof the tubular gas generator. In this case, the gas-guiding duct 100 hasa flow cross section which arises from the outside diameter D2 of thehose-clip-shaped fastening element 7 and the inside diameter D3 of thehose-clip-shaped impact element 3.

FIGS. 8 to 11 show a further embodiment of the gas-guiding deviceaccording to the invention. The gas-guiding device has a holder in theform of an impact element 5 which can be arranged on a gas generator 6.

The embodiment shown here integrates the impact element, which isrealized separately in the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, with a fasteningelement for the gas generator. The gas generator, which is designed as atubular gas generator 6, is surrounded by hose-clip-shaped regions 50 ofthe impact element 5. The hose-clip-shaped regions 50 are situated in aregion of the tubular gas generator 6 in which no gas outflow openingsare provided. A further hose-clip-shaped region 51 of the impact element5 is provided in the region of the gas outflow openings of the gasgenerator 6 and has a larger diameter D5 than the hose-clip regions 50securing the tubular gas generator 6. This in turn forms, between thehose-clip-shaped region 51 of the impact element 5 and the tubular gasgenerator 6, a gas-guiding duct 100 which leads into two mutuallyopposite gas outlet regions 101, 102.

Since the two hose-clip-shaped regions 50, which secure the tubular gasgenerator 6, and also the hose-clip-shaped region 51 guiding the gasflow are formed as a single piece from a single metal sheet, they have acommon “back” which lies opposite a fastening region 52 for attachingthe gas-guiding device to a vehicle structure. The gas-guiding duct 100therefore has a crescent-shaped cross section which arises from theeccentric position of the tubular gas generator 6.

In the embodiment shown, the impact element 5 furthermore has a clamp 53which keeps a gas bag opening arranged in this region open, so that agas flow can flow unobstructed into the gas bag.

FIGS. 12 to 14 show a further embodiment of a gas-guiding deviceaccording to the invention, it being possible for the gas-guiding deviceto have in turn a holder in the form of an impact element 5 which can bearranged on a gas generator 6.

The tubular gas generator 6 is surrounded and held by hose-clip-shapedregions 50 of the impact element 5. In contrast with the embodimentshown in FIGS. 8 to 11, the impact element 5 here is configured in sucha manner that the fastening region 52 is situated on that side of theimpact element 5 which is opposite the gas-guiding duct 100. The gasoutflow openings 101, 102 are thereby likewise situated on that side ofthe gas-guiding device which is opposite the fastening region. Theindividual hose-clip-shaped regions 50, 51 completely surround the gasgenerator 6.

In one embodiment (not illustrated here) two gas bags adjoin the impactelement 3, 5 in such a manner that in each case at least one gas-guidingduct 100 leads into each gas bag. In this case, the impact element 3, 5may also be arranged in the region of a separating gap between the twogas bags. The gas-guiding ducts formed by the impact element enable thetwo gas bags thus to be inflated uniformly or in a predetermined mannerusing a single gas generator.

1. A gas flow distributor for a lateral airbag module, comprising: aholder configured to surround outflow openings of a gas generator,wherein the holder includes an impact element and a gas-guiding duct,wherein the gas-guiding duct is configured to guide gas flowing betweenthe impact element and the gas generator, wherein the impact element isconfigured so that a gas flow emerging from the outflow openings of thegas generator impacts against the impact element and is therebydeflected and divided into a first gas flow and a second gas flow,wherein the first gas flow is deflected in a first direction along acircumferential surface of the gas flow distributor toward a first gasoutlet region and the second gas flow is deflected in a second directionalong the circumferential surface of the gas flow distributor toward asecond gas outlet region, wherein the first and second gas flows emergefrom the gas outlet regions along a tube axis of the gas generator,wherein the first and second gas outlet regions are opposite oneanother, wherein the gas generator comprises a tubular gas generator andthe tube axis of the gas generator and a cross-sectional axis of theimpact element are spaced apart from each other, wherein the first andsecond gas outlet regions are the sole gas outlet regions.
 2. The gasflow distributor of claim 1, wherein the gas-guiding duct runsessentially between an outside of the gas generator and an inside of theimpact element.
 3. The gas flow distributor of claim 2, wherein thegas-guiding duct runs essentially between an outside of a region of theholder that surrounds the gas generator and an inside of the impactelement.
 4. The gas flow distributor of claim 1, wherein the impactelement has an essentially circular cross section.
 5. The gas flowdistributor of claim 1, wherein the impact element is formed as a singlepiece with an end portion of the holder.
 6. The gas flow distributor ofclaim 1, wherein the gas-guiding duct essentially has one of a circularring-shaped cross section or a crescent-shaped cross section.
 7. The gasflow distributor of claim 1, wherein the gas outlet regions of thegas-guiding duct or outlet openings of the holder lead into at least onegas bag.
 8. The gas flow distributor of claim 7, wherein the gas outletregions of the gas-guiding duct lead into different chambers of the gasbag or into different gas bags.
 9. The gas flow distributor of claim 1,wherein one of the impact element or the holder serve to separate twogas bag chambers.
 10. The gas flow distributor of claim 1, wherein atleast two gas bags are attached to one of the impact element or theholder and in each case at least one gas-guiding duct or at least oneoutlet opening leads into one gas bag in each case.
 11. The gas flowdistributor of claim 1, wherein the holder comprises a dimensionallystable material so that the holder is not deformed by the gas flowemerging from the gas generator.
 12. The gas flow distributor of claim11, wherein the holder comprises metal or a die casting.
 13. The gasflow distributor of claim 12, where the holder is configured to hold atubular gas generator.
 14. The gas flow distributor of claim 13, whereinthe holder includes a holding region for surrounding the tubular gasgenerator.
 15. The gas flow distributor of claim 14, wherein the holdingregion comprises a tubular shape.
 16. The gas flow distributor of claim15, wherein a cross section of the holding region comprises a continuouscurve.
 17. The gas flow distributor of claim 16, wherein the continuouscurve comprises a circular shape or a polygonal shape.
 18. The gas flowdistributor of claim 15, wherein the holding region comprises anessentially hollow, cylindrical shape.
 19. The gas flow distributor ofclaim 14, where the holder is configured to allow gas flowing along acircumferential surface of the holding region in a direction of extentof the tubular gas generator into a gas bag.
 20. The gas flowdistributor of claim 1, wherein the holder includes holder outletopenings through which gas which has flowed into an interior of theholder can emerge from the gas generator and can flow into a gas bag tothereby inflate the gas bag.
 21. The gas flow distributor of claim 20,wherein at least one holder outlet opening is provided in a casing ofthe holding region.
 22. The gas flow distributor of claim 20, wherein asize of the holder outlet openings can be set.
 23. The gas flowdistributor of claim 20, wherein the holder outlet opening is at leastpartially closed by a covering which is opened by the gas flow emergingfrom the gas generator.
 24. The gas flow distributor of claim 20,wherein at least one holder outlet opening is configured to conduct thegas flow emerging from the gas generator along a circumferential surfaceof the holding region in a direction of extent of the gas generator. 25.The gas flow distributor of claim 14, wherein the holder is configuredso that the gas flow emerging from the gas generator is held in theholding region and is at least in part initially reflected against aninner wall of the holding region before the gas flow emerges from theholder.
 26. The gas flow distributor of claim 14, wherein an inner wallof the holding region is spaced apart from the gas generator at least ina region of the gas generator outflow openings.
 27. The gas flowdistributor of claim 1, wherein the holder is configured to be connecteddirectly to a supporting part of a motor vehicle.
 28. The gas flowdistributor of claim 1, wherein the holder is configured to be connectedto a supporting part of a motor vehicle indirectly via a furtherassembly.
 29. The gas flow distributor of claim 28, wherein the furtherassembly comprises a subassembly of an airbag module.
 30. The gas flowdistributor of claim 1, wherein the gas flow distributor is configuredto serve as a generator support and includes a connecting region forconnecting the generator support to a supporting part of a motorvehicle.
 31. The gas flow distributor of claim 30, wherein theconnecting region includes fastening points for fastening the generatorsupport to a further subassembly.
 32. The gas flow distributor of claim31, where the connecting region includes a flange.
 33. The gas flowdistributor of claim 32, wherein the flange protrudes from a holdingregion of the generator support.
 34. The gas flow distributor of claim33, wherein the holding region and the connecting region of thegenerator support comprise a single-piece design.
 35. The gas flowdistributor of claim 10, wherein a separating gap running between twogas bags runs in a region of one of the impact element or the holder.36. The gas flow distributor of claim 35, wherein the separating gap isconfigured to be braced in a gastight manner via the impact element. 37.The gas flow distributor of claim 1, wherein a function of the impactelement or of the holder is maintained during plastic deformation. 38.The gas flow distributor of claim 1, wherein the gas flow distributor isincluded in a lateral airbag module.
 39. A lateral airbag module,comprising: a gas generator; a gas flow distributor including a holderconfigured to surround outflow openings of the gas generator, whereinthe holder includes an impact element and a gas-guiding duct, whereinthe gas-guiding duct is configured to guide gas flowing between theimpact element and the gas generator, wherein the impact element isconfigured so that a gas flow emerging from the outflow openings of thegas generator impacts against the impact element and is therebydeflected and divided into a first gas flow and a second gas flow,wherein the first gas flow is deflected in a first direction along acircumferential surface of the gas flow distributor toward a first gasoutlet region and the second gas flow is deflected in a second directionalong the circumferential surface of the gas flow distributor toward asecond gas outlet region, wherein the first and second gas flows emergefrom the gas outlet regions along a tube axis of the gas generator,wherein the first and second gas outlet regions are opposite oneanother, wherein the gas generator comprises a tubular gas generator andthe tube axis of the gas generator and a cross-sectional axis of theimpact element are spaced apart from each other, wherein the first andsecond gas outlet regions are the sole gas outlet regions.
 40. Thelateral airbag module of claim 39, further comprising a gas bagconfigured to be inflated by the gas generator, wherein a holding regionof the gas flow distributor is arranged within the gas bag.
 41. The gasflow distributor of claim 7, wherein the outlet openings of the holderlead into different chambers of the gas bag or into different gas bags.42. The gas flow distributor of claim 1, wherein the holder includes afastening device configured to fasten the impact element and the gasgenerator to a vehicle, wherein the fastening device includes a cutoutregion configured to permit gas from the gas generator to pass throughthe fastening device and impact the impact element.
 43. The lateralairbag module of claim 39, wherein the holder includes a fasteningdevice configured to fasten the impact element and the gas generator toa vehicle, wherein the fastening device includes a cutout regionconfigured to permit gas from the gas generator to pass through thefastening device and impact the impact element.
 44. The gas flowdistributor of claim 1, wherein the impact element is positioned aroundan outer circumference of the fastening device.